Cousin Maude

It was a noble act, and it shamed the paler faces who witnessed it,

but they offered no remonstrance, though Maude did, refusing to

accept it, until Louis said: "Take it, sister--take it, and when I'm

twenty-one I'll give to him ten times ten golden eagles."

The necessary arrangements were quickly made, and ere a week was

passed Maude found herself in Rochester, and an inmate of Mrs.

Kelsey's family; for, touched with pity, that lady had offered to

receive her, and during her brief stay treated her with every

possible attention. Nellie, too, was very kind, ministering

carefully to the comfort of her stepsister, who had ceased to be a

rival, for well she knew J.C. De Vere would never wed a penniless

bride and blind!